Program for School-Age Children

1.   Curriculum
2.   Eligibility
3.   Restrictions on Eligibility
4.   Scholarships & Instrument Rentals
5.   Parent Responsibilities
6.   Tuition

Program for Pre-School Children (Suzuki Program)

1.   The Program/Eligibility
2.   What is "Suzuki"
3.   Parent Responsibilities
4.   Life after Pre-School

String Project Teachers & Director

1.   Education of Teachers
2.   About the Director

Curriculum

The University of Texas String Project curriculum consists of a weekly private lesson and Saturday morning classes for students of violin, viola, cello, and double bass. These classes include music theory, instrumental technique and repertoire, chamber music, and master classes. All classes are held in the Music Building on the University of Texas campus, and private lessons are usually scheduled between 3:30 and 6:00 P.M. on weekday afternoons. Lessons are 30 minutes to one hour in length, depending upon the age and advancement of each student. (top)

Eligibility

The Program for School-Age Children is designed for students in grades 1-12 living within commuting distance of UT-Austin. You may apply by printing out the application on this website and returning it, or requesting a brochure and application from our office. Once your application is received, your name will kept in our database until testing dates are scheduled. Auditions and aptitude tests take place in late summer, usually near the end of August. Students who have already studied a string instrument will have an audition, while students without previous study will be scheduled for an informal aptitude test, which requires no previous musical experience or preparation. (top)

Restrictions on Eligibility

All students enrolled in the String Project must also be enrolled in their school orchestra, if one is available. Students who are studying with a local private teacher are not eligible for private instrumental lessons in the String Project, but may participate in Saturday classes if recommended by their teacher. Students who wish to be enrolled as "Saturday-only" students must take an audition for placement purposes. (top)

Scholarships & Instrument Rentals

A very limited number of scholarships are available to students who have successfully completed one or more years in the String Project. These are scholarships based entirely on need. At this time, we do not have merit-based scholarships available.

We have a limited number of instruments available for rental to full-time String Project students only. These instruments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You may also rent an instrument from a local music dealer. (top)

What are my responsibilities as a parent?

If a child is accepted into the String Project, his parents must see that he attends classes regularly, practices daily, completes written and listening assignments, and is exposed to activities that encourage and enforce musical interest. In the case of younger children, parents will attend lessons and supervise home practice.

If a child is not accepted into the String Project, it is not a sign that he or she should be discouraged from studying music. It may simply mean that there was no suitable opening at the time. We encourage all students who are not accepted to reapply, since our classes may change considerably from one year to the next. Should you decide to begin your string study with another teacher, please let them know of your interest in the String Project, so that both you and your teacher can plan accordingly. (top)

Tuition

Full-time tuition for the 2003-2004 program depends on the ensemble or orchestra level of the student (lesson times of students will increase as the student progress through the various orchestras). The full-time tuition includes all private lessons and Saturday classes for an entire school year (22 to 24 weeks) and is payable at registration. Saturday-only tuition applies toward all Saturday classes. If you choose your son or daughter to be a Saturday-only student, you will be responsible for finding a private teacher. The String Project Program offers quality instruction for a very competitive cost, regardless of your status as full-time or Saturday-only. Please find the tuition costs below, current as of the 2006-2007 school year:

Full-Time Tuition:

$550 (30 minute lessons)
all Pre- and Beginning Ensemble, and Elementary Orchestra

$750 (45 minute lessons)
all members of the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras

$950 (60 minute lessons)
members of the Chamber Players Ensemble

Saturday-Only Tuition:

$400 for all Saturday-Only Students
$350 for members of Chamber Players for the entire past year (top)

Pre-School Suzuki Program

The Pre-School Suzuki Program is open to children four and five years of age who have not begun studying a string instrument. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis from our Pre-School Waiting List, which is ordered according to application and age priority. Enrollment is very limited, so parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible and to return enrollment update forms promptly. The average waiting time on the list is two to three years. New classes begin each September and follow the University of Texas calendar. The program includes one private lesson and one group lesson each week. Tuition for the 2003-2004 School Year is $500, but is subject to change. (top)

What is "Suzuki?"

The Suzuki approach, which is used exclusively in teaching the Pre-School Suzuki Classes, was developed by Shinichi Suzuki in Japan (1898-1998). This approach seeks to foster instrumental playing skills in children in the same way they learn to speak -- through imitation and repetition, in a positive, nurturing environment. According to Dr. Suzuki, every child has talent and can learn to play using this approach. His goal was not to produce prodigies, but to develop in children an appreciation of beauty, self, and others. (top)

What are my responsibilities as a parent?

Each child and at least one parent must attend a half-hour class and a short private lesson each week, usually scheduled during the mid-afternoon on weekdays. It is required that one parent accompany the child to every lesson and class, practice with the child, and see that the child listens to the Suzuki recordings. Parents must learn to play the instrument a little themselves in class.(top)

Life after Pre-School

The Pre-School Suzuki Program is a division of the UT String Project and its students participate in String Project concerts. When pre-schoolers reach school age, students are automatically enrolled in the String Project Program for School-Age Students and placed according to their level of advancement. (top)

Education of Teachers

The University of Texas String Project has a long history of educating string teachers as well as players. String Project teachers are graduate students from all over the world, many of whom have already gained a great deal of teaching experience and training before they join the String Project. After they become String Project teachers, they receive training and participate in workshop with nationally and internationally recognized pedagogues. Recent String faculty have also held faculty positions at New England Music Camp, Furman University Music Camp, and Chautauqua Institute Music Festival. Prospective String Project parents can rest assured that their children will receive the highest level of instruction possible. (top)

About the Director

Dr. Laurie Scott is Assistant Professor of Music Education at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, she serves as the director of The University of Texas String Project. Previous to this appointment, Dr. Scott served as professor of violin and viola and director of music education studies at Southwestern Unviersity in Georgetown, Texas. Dr. Scott is co-director of the Armadillo Suzuki Organization, the Austin Metropolitan Suzuki School, and the Texas Suzuki Tour Group. She holds a master's degree in applied violin from the University of Nebraska , and a bachelor's degree in music education from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She received her Ph.D in Music Education from the University of Texas. Before moving to Texas in 1981, Dr. Scott taught in rural string programs in Nebraska and performed with the Omaha and Lincoln Symphonies and the Nebraska Chamber Orchestra. After arriving in Texas Dr. Scott became actively involved in string education. As a music educator in Texas, Dr. Scott has served as an officer of the Texas chapter of the American String Teacher's Association, taught for eight years for the Austin ISD at Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School, was co-conductor of the Austin Youth Symphony, and served as Region XVIII College Division Chair for the Texas Music Educators Association. Additionally, from 1995-2002 Dr. Scott served as guest lecturer in string pedagogy and music education at The University of Texas at Austin. Professor Scott was co-editor of the public school column in the American Suzuki Journal and was named chairman of the Suzuki in the Public School division of the 1998 International Teacher's Conference. She performs with the Austin Symphony, Austin Lyric Opera and Ballet Austin Orchestras. In 1990 Dr. Scott was named Woman of the Year in the Arts for the City of Austin. She is a guest clinician and conductor at state and national conventions speaking on string pedagogy, public school music education, orchestral bowing techniques and character development through the arts. Her articles have appeared in The American String Teacher, The American Suzuki Journal, and The Journal of Research in Music Education . (top)